Open registration for all programs has begun! For a list of all available times, see Educator/Schedules page.

How to Register

1. Review lesson options for your instrument by going to our home page and clicking on "Educators/Schedules". For preschool programs, note the class time in which you are interested.

2. Notify us of the lesson/class times you want by email (FirstChairSMP@aol.com), phone, or black box in the lobby. We will hold this time for you for 48 hours without payment.

3. Submit payment to lock in your spot. See "payment information" below.

4. Your official lesson time will be confirmed via email and/or phone shortly after your payment is processed.

Payment Information

First Chair accepts Visa and MasterCard in addition to personal checks.

Preschool Programs and Group Guitar

• Upon receipt of your email, you will receive an email and a phone call notifiying you of your payment amount, which will be prorated if you are beginning after the first week of the term. 

Private Lessons

• Spring semester is 20 weeks long. Each day of the week has 20 lessons between January 5 and June 8. Please see our calendar page to determine our days off.

• New students have a one time registration charge of $35.

• Spring tuition is $390. Tuition is prorated for students starting after January 5 at the rate of $19.50 per lesson. No time slot can be held for more than 48 hours without payment. Your payment options are as follows:

• Semester payment- Single payment of $390 can be made by check, cash, or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). If you choose to discontinue enrollment during the term (two month minimum enrollment for new students required), you will receive a refund according to our policy sheet. See "discontinuing enrollment" for more information.

• Monthly payments- All monthly payments are submitted in advance as part of registration. Payments for the semester are as follows: upon registration-$78, February 1- $78, March 1- $78, April 1- $78, May 1- $78.

• For monthly payments by credit card (Visa or Mastercard), complete our credit card form in person or over the phone with Tom or Tammy. The form states that you authorized the above payment schedule to be processed on each date.

• For monthly payments by check, submit a series of checks with the dates and amounts above. To clarify, when you register, ALL FIVE CHECKS FOR $78 must be submited. Checks will not be deposited until the given date (i.e., the February 1 check will be deposited on or after February 1). We understand some people are not comfortable with this method, which is why we offer the credit card option.

Discontinuing Enrollment

When a student wishes to discontinue enrollment, a discontinuation form (found in the lobby) must be submitted to the office BEFORE the first day of the month during which they wish to discontinue. For example, if a student wishes to discontinue November 15, the office must receive the form no later than October 31. A refund will then be processed during the first week of December for the lessons scheduled between November 15 and the end of the term.

If a student wishes to discontinue immediately, a form should be completed immediately.  If a discontinuation form is completed October 15 for immediate discontinuation, we can only refund tuition for lessons from November 1 through the end of the term. For that reason, it is in the student's best interest to continue attending lessons through the end of the month as we cannot issue refunds for lessons scheduled during the month the form is filled out.

Attendance/Missed Lessons

Private Lessons

Due to our instructor's schedules and our large number of students, we are unable to regularly offer make-ups for lessons missed due to student circumstances. Note that unlike some other local institutions, we will ALWAYS give you a credit or make up for teacher absences. (Yes, there are places that expect you to pay even if your teacher was absent!!)  First Chair has the finest staff in the area because we are able to promise them that they will be compensated for the time they have set aside for each student every week.  For this reason, credits will only be issued according to the following guidelines:

Serious illness (must be accompanied by a school absence)                 $9.50 credit

Performance in event at religious institution                                        $9.50 credit

Death of family member                                                                   make up if possible, or $19.50

Music function sponsored by school                                                    make up if possible, or $19.50

Religious holiday                                                                              make up if possible, or $19.50

A CREDIT REQUEST FORM MUST BE COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH OF THE ABSENCE IN ORDER FOR A CREDIT TO BE PROCESSED. Forms are available in the lobby.  Credits will be processed during the first week of each month.  A maximum of 2 credits will be issued during any single term.  Calling to report an absence in advance is appreciated by the staff, but it is not related to the credit process. A credit request for absences during the last week of the month may be completed over the phone with the director. 

The Music Class and Kindermusik

Because of the nature of these classes, we know it is important to keep your little one home if she/he isn't feeling well. We will work with you to find a time when you can make up missed classes. Please call Tammy with specific questions about our policy.